Definitions

on hold

ADJECTIVE

deferred

Synonyms

STRONGEST

delayed negotiated postponed

STRONG

adjourned assessed charged pigeonholed prolonged protracted remanded renegotiated scrubbed stalled temporized

WEAK

held up in waiting indebted on the shelf staved off

Antonyms

WEAK

advanced forwarded furthered hastened hurried

ADJECTIVE

inactive

Synonyms

STRONGEST

dormant dull idle immobile inoperative jobless passive sedentary sluggish static unemployed unused

WEAK

abeyant asleep blah dead disengaged do-nothing down draggy in holding pattern indolent latent lax lethargic limp low-key mothballed motionless ossified out of action out of commission out of service out of work quiescent quiet slack sleepy slothful slow somnolent stable still torpid unoccupied

Antonyms

STRONGEST

active employed energetic lively mobile moving used

WEAK

busy involved working

ADJECTIVE

postponed

Synonyms

STRONGEST

delayed suspended

STRONG

adjourned intermitted prorogued scrubbed shelved tabled withheld

WEAK

put off

NOUN

wait

Synonyms

STRONGEST

interval

STRONG

down downtime halt hold interim rest stay

WEAK

holdup time wasted

Antonyms

STRONG

continuation go

WEAK

act doing

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

There will be “tightening noises,” he said, but with no pickup in wages and “Teflon” inflation in play, he believes the Fed will stay on hold this year.

From MarketWatch • Jul. 2, 2026

I’d bet cash that the new top reasons for divorce are forgotten passwords and not showing enough sympathy when your spouse is on hold for 83 minutes and counting.

From Los Angeles Times • Jul. 1, 2026

Inflation slowed in the eurozone's three largest economies in June, data showed Tuesday, boosting the likelihood of the European Central Bank keeping interest rates on hold at its next meeting.

From Barron's • Jun. 30, 2026

Either way, for stocks the Put is currently on hold.

From The Wall Street Journal • Jun. 23, 2026

Might as well be comfortable when you're on hold.

From "Seedfolks" by Paul Fleischman

on hold

Example Sentences

Related Words